The Cleveland Browns are less than two weeks away from kicking off the 2026 NFL season, and although Deshaun Watson has already been named the starting quarterback, the news isn’t entirely positive. Dillon Gabriel suffered a back injury during the final days of training camp, raising concerns within the organization.

Head coach Todd Monken provided an update on the quarterback’s condition and expressed optimism about his recovery.

“I don’t know exactly when it happened. He feels like it was the third down of a zone read that he pulled it. It kind of got twisted awkwardly. I think he’s going to be fine. It’s just a little uncomfortable throwing now,” he said.

All signs point to Gabriel opening the season as the Browns’ third-string quarterback, behind Watson and Shedeur Sanders, who enters his second NFL season as the backup. Last year, Gabriel took over as the starter following Joe Flacco‘s departure, but an injury eventually cost him the job to Sanders.

Meanwhile, Watson also delivered an inconsistent preseason, leading some fans to question his status as the starter and speculate that the size of his lucrative contract played a role in Monken’s decision.

With the season about to begin, it’s entirely possible that Watson, Sanders, and Gabriel could all see time as starters at some point, whether due to injuries or performance.

The Browns will open their 2026 season on September 13 with a road game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.